Jump to content
  • entries
    3
  • comments
    4
  • views
    3,851

Physics of water skiing

npignato

Entry posted by npignato

5,032 views

 Share

Water skiing involves many different components of physics. The fundamentals of it are based mainly on angles and gravity. When you are trying to get up, you have to make sure you keep your ski at a certain angle so that the water pushes down on the ski, creating a downward force that enables you to stand up. Once the force of the water pushing up on the ski is equal to the force of gravity pulling down on the ski, you are able to stay on top of the water.

Tension is also involved in water skiing because the rope from the boat to your hand pulls tightly, creating tension. When the tension in the rope is constant, you will be traveling at the same speed as the boat pulling you. However, since the rope from the boat to the water skier keeps you moving in a circular path. Since you are moving in a circular path, there is also centripetal force. When the centripetal force is high, the water skier may be moving faster than the boat itself.

 Share

2 Comments

Recommended Comments

Lochs

Lochs 10

Posted

i didnt know you know how to water ski and i never thought of it in a physics perspective like this!

JBrown3

JBrown3 11

Posted

i cant even swim but this appeals to me

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×

Terms of Use

The pages of APlusPhysics.com, Physics in Action podcasts, and other online media at this site are made available as a service to physics students, instructors, and others. Their use is encouraged and is free of charge. Teachers who wish to use materials either in a classroom demonstration format or as part of an interactive activity/lesson are granted permission (and encouraged) to do so. Linking to information on this site is allowed and encouraged, but content from APlusPhysics may not be made available elsewhere on the Internet without the author's written permission.

Copyright Notice

APlusPhysics.com, Silly Beagle Productions and Physics In Action materials are copyright protected and the author restricts their use to online usage through a live internet connection. Any downloading of files to other storage devices (hard drives, web servers, school servers, CDs, etc.) with the exception of Physics In Action podcast episodes is prohibited. The use of images, text and animations in other projects (including non-profit endeavors) is also prohibited. Requests for permission to use such material on other projects may be submitted in writing to info@aplusphysics.com. Licensing of the content of APlusPhysics.com for other uses may be considered in the future.

APlusPhysics Books

APlusPhysics Books

×
×
  • Create New...